Energy conservation is crucial for manual wheelchair users to prevent fatigue and maintain activity levels throughout the day. Effective energy management strategies can help users sustain their participation in daily activities and improve their overall quality of life.
Study demonstrates that semicircular propulsion patterns are less susceptible to shoulder injuries. Walford et al. 2024
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Wheelchair Skills
Consider propulsion techniques, the semicircular pattern is encouraged due to the better biomechanics and associated lower stroke frequency. Sawatzky et al. 2015
The semicircular pattern is encouraged because:
It promotes better biomechanics
It is associated with a lower stroke frequency
It promotes more time in push phase than recovery phase
The hand follows an elliptical pattern with no quick changes in direction and no extra hand movements
